Nine Cardiff Blues players in Wales Six Nations Squad

Gareth Jenkins today announced the 33-man squad to mount Wales' challenge on the 2007 RBS Six Nations Championship.

Cardiff Blues have 9 players in the squad including Scott Morgan who has been called up to the Welsh squad for the first time after some outstanding performances for the Blues this season.

Head coach Jenkins believes his talented squad will relish the chance to measure themselves against the World top five ranked team, and bookmakers' favourites for the tournament, in front of a capacity home Millennium Stadium crowd next week - and hopes his side's debut performance of the Rugby World Cup year can set a lasting tone.

"If you'd asked me to pick the game to open our Six Nations campaign this season it would have been this one," said Jenkins.

"Ireland are very much the team to beat this year, they will come to us as firm favourites and it's probably the toughest start to the year we could've been given.

"But that's how you measure yourselves and we have to be realistic about what is achievable this year. We want to beat every team put in front of us and, if we can get off to a good start against Ireland in front of our home fans, then we have a chance to lay down a marker for ourselves for the gruelling season ahead.

The only uncapped player, in a squad which also welcomes the return of Grand Slamming lock Robert Sidoli from shoulder surgery, is Blues back five player Scott Morgan who Jenkins says will be viewed as a second row.

"Scott has played himself into contention with some sterling performances for the Blues as a middle line-out jumper mostly from the No6 position, but our squad make-up means we will be looking for him to give us options at lock," he said.

"In the backs Mark Jones (ankle), Lee Byrne (knee) and Sonny Parker (groin) have all suffered injuries, which is a blow for us, but the door is not closed on this squad and any player who can get himself fighting fit again will be monitored throughout the tournament.

"Chris Czekaj is another handed the opportunity to impress again on the international stage due to the withdrawal of other players. He missed out on Autumn selection, but his form has been much improved of late and he makes a welcome return.

Commenting on Scott Morgan's selection David Young said: "Scott has been a quality player for Leeds for the past three or four seasons, but it was a case of out of sight out of mind. He's come back and been a quality signing for us. I am sure he is going to be a big bonus for the Six Nations squad and I think it's a well deserved call up."

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